Safety and escape mechanism

ABSTRACT

An improved safety and escape mechanism for enabling occupants of upper (second and third) floors of dwellings and other structures to make a quick exodus in case of fire or other emergency comprising bracket means for permanently or detachably securing a centering guide roller on a windowsill, an elongated rope substantially longer than the window to ground dimension, adapted to be passed over the windowsill and roller; basket means at one end of said rope of a size to receive infants, as well as children or adults in a kneeling or standing position, for lowering the same to the ground by an operator inside the window controlling the rate of feed of the rope; and co-operating means on the other end of said rope and on said roller for quickly coupling the same to provide escape means for said operator and other able bodied occupants. The co-operating means can suitably comprise a pair of short rope sections integrally joined to said other end of the rope having loops at the extremities thereof adapted to engage axial extensions at the ends of said roller forming a positive anchoring of said rope to the roller when tension is applied to said rope. Between said loops and rope juncture the short rope sections can be joined by a plurality of rungs to steady an escapee while climbing over the windowsill and preparing to slide down said rope. The basket suitably has a multi-point suspension arranged to minimize contact between the basket and building wall as the basket is being lowered, and a trip line extending from the inner, building, side of the basket to the window frame facilitating dumping of the basket contents when the basket has reached ground level.

United States Patent Sauri Mar. 18, 1975 1 SAFETY AND ESCAPE MECHANISM[76] Inventor: Richard Sauri, 85-18 1 18th St., Kew

Gardens, NY. 11415 [22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 461,524

[52] U.S. Cl 182/100, 182/142, 182/150 [51] Int. Cl A62b 1/02 [58] Fieldof Search 182/100, 142, 190, 3, 150, 182/5 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 256,874 4/1884 Borgfeldt 182/190 271,498 1/1883 McElroy182/196 538,615 4/1895 Lindsay .1 182/146 2,979,154 4/1961 Bell 182/1963 ,331,182 12/1885 Wetmore 182/3 Primary Eraminer-Reinaldo F. MachadoAttorney, Agent, or FirmHoward E. Thompson, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT An improved safety and escape mechanism for enablingoccupants of upper (second and third) floors of dwellings and otherstructures to make a quick exodus in case of fire or other emergencycomprising bracket means for permanently or detachably securing acentering guide roller on a windowsill, an elongated rope substantiallylonger than the window to ground dimension, adapted to be passed overthe windowsill and roller; basket means at one end of said rope of asize to receive infants, as well as children or adults in a kneeling orstanding position, for lowering the same to the ground by an operatorinside the window controlling the rate of feed of the rope; andco-operating means on the other end of said rope and on said roller forquickly coupling the same to provide escape means for said operator andother able bodied occupants. The co-operating means can suitablycomprise a pair of short rope sections integrally joined to said otherend of the rope having loops at the extremities thereof adapted toengage axial extensions at the ends of said roller forming apositive-anchoring of said rope to the roller when tension is applied tosaid rope. Between said loops and rope juncture the short rope sectionscan be joined by a plurality of rungs to steady an escapee whileclimbing over the windowsill and preparing to slide down said rope.

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SAFETY AND ESCAPE MECHANISM This inventionrelates to an improved safety and escape mechanism for enablingoccupants of upper (second and third) floors of dwellings and otherstructures to make a quick exodus in case of fire or other emergency,which can be permanently or detachably associated with conventionalwindowsills, and which is both simple and inexpensive to produce andeasy and versatile to use.

Each year many persons suffer serious injury or lose their lives by thedifficulty or inability of exodus from structures in case of fire,explosion or other emergency. While the problem exists in all type ofstructures, including high rise apartments and commercial structures,the problem is particularly troublesome in conventional dwellings andother low structures where quick exodus may be needed from a second orthird floor of the structure.

Many types of special ropes, rope ladders, metal link ladders and thelike are on the market as attempts to solve this problem, but availabledevice of this sort leave much to be desired from the standpoint of easeand dependability in use. Furthermore, they provide no means for aidingin the exodus of infants, small children or invalids of any agewho areunable to climb down a rope or ladder.

An object of the present invention is to provide an escape mechanismwhich can be brought into quick use for lowering from upper (second andthird) floors of a structure infants, small children and invalids, whileat the same time providing means for able-bodied children or adults toslidably lower themselves to the ground. Another object of the inventionis to facilitate quick re-use of the mechanism after lowering an infantor small child by ejecting such infant or small child by control meansextending to the operator at the upper level.

Regarded in certain of its broader aspects, the improved safety andescape mechanism of the present invention comprises bracket means forpermanently or detachably securing a centering guide roller on awindowsill, an elongated rope substantially longer than the window toground dimension, adapted to be passed over the windowsill and roller;basket means at one end of said rope of a size to receive infants, aswell as children or adults in a kneeling or standing position, forlowering the same to the ground by an operator inside the windowcontrolling the rate of feed of the rope; and co-operating means on theother end of said rope and on said roller for quickly coupling the sameto provide escape means for said operator. The co-operating means cansuitably comprise a pair of short rope sections integrally joined tosaid other end of the rope having loops at the extremities thereofadapted to engage axial extensions at the ends of said roller forming apositive anchoring of said rope to the roller when tension is applied tosaid rope.

The basket suitably has a multi-point suspension arranged to minimizecontact between the basket and building wall as the basket is beinglowered, and a trip line extending from the inner, building, side of thebasket to the window frame facilitating dumping of the basket contentswhen the basket has reached ground level.

Novel features of the improved safety and escape mechanism will beapparent from a consideration of companying drawing, in which preferredembodiments have been illustrated with the parts thereof identified bysuitable reference characters in each of the view and in which:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective and foreshortened view showing thesafety and escape mechanism in use, with the elongated rope being usedas a means for lowering infants, children and invalids from an elevatedwindow.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating one form of mounting of theroller and bracket mechanism on a windowsill.

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, showing a modified form of mountingof the roller and bracket.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged gragmentary view of'one end of the roller shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 as interengaged with the bracket.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, similar to the sill portion ofFIG. 1, showing the opposed end of the rope oriented for use byable-bodied children and adults; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of the assemblage of FIG. 5 showing a modifiedform of rope end.

In FIG. 1 of the drawing there is diagrammatically illustrated a portionof a dwelling or other structure 10, having an elevated second or thirdfloor 11 bounded by an outer wall 12 carrying a conventional window 13,with an inner sill l4 and outer sill 15. The improved safety and escapemechanism, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a bracket 16 having aninner hooked end 17 for engaging the inner windowsill 14 and downwardlyinclined outer ends 18, 18 adapted to bear against and extend slightlybeyond the outer windowsill 15. The outer ends 18, 18 of the bracket 16are supported in aligned position by a crosshead extending therebetweenwhich, for purpose of illustration, has been shown as extendingtransversely of the bracket at the inner sill engaging portion thereof,as seen at 17' in FIG. 1. It should be understood, however, that thisspacing and alignment means can be located at any position along themembers 18, 18 or can, if desired, extend the full distance from thehook engaging the inner windowsill to the outer extremity overlying theouter sill.

Upwardly extending member 19, 19 at the extremity of the inclinedmembers 18, 18 have apertures 20 for receiving coaxial studs 21, 21protruding beyond ends of an elongated roller 22 to rotatably supportthe roller 22 in the bracket 16.

The roller 22 is uniformly curved from its ends to a smaller diametermid section 22a, as clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, to assist incentering an elongated rope 23 which is passed over the windowsill androller 22. It will be noted, in this connection, that the upwardlyextending members l9, 19' are oriented in substantial alignment with theextremity of outer windowsill 15, so that the rope 23, as it passesoverthe roller 22, is spaced outwardly from the windowsill and bracket16.

To facilitate assemblage of the bracket and roller, as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, the projecting lugs 21, 21, at one or both ends of the roller,can be in the form of cylindrical rods extending deeply into, or aunitary rod extending through, the roller 22 and locked against axialmovement by set screws 24. This permits easy and dependable mounting ofthe rotating roller 22 in the rigid bracket 16, with the outer surfacesof the lugs 21,

21' fitting loosely within the bracket apertures 20.

The bracket and roller assemblage, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, isnormally stored near the particular window l3 intended as an escapewindow for the dwelling or other structure. By merely opening the windowand placing the bracket 16 over the windowsill with its hooked end 17 inengagement with the inner windowsill 14, the device is immediately readyfor-use.

The second component of the escape mechanism comprises the rope 23having a basket 25 joined to one end of the rope 23 by a plurality ofstrand members 26 suitably extending to the upper corners of the basket.The opposed end of the rope 23 is provided with a pair of equal shortextensions 27, 27. terminating in loops 28, 28 of a size to engage theprojecting lugs 21, 21 in the manner shown in FIG. 5. While the loops28, 28' have been illustrated as formed apertured members, it will beunderstood that the lug engaging portions can comprise simple spliced orotherwise formed loops at the ends of the rope extensions 27, 27

The rope and basket assemblage will, of course, also be stored near theselected escape windown l3, and as soon as the bracket and rollerassemblage has been mounted on the windowsill and the basket has beenpassed out through the window, the complete assemblage is ready for useby an operator 29 within the building. The inwardly extending portion ofthe rope 23 can be engaged between the operators foot and the floor 11,as illustrated, or passed around the waist of the operator to providesupport of the basket 25 while being loaded close to the windowsill l;and thereafter by gradual release of the rope 23 by the operator 29 thebasket and contents can be lowered safely to the ground. When it isdesired to lower an infant or small child, the operator 29 can, ofcourse, place the infant or small child in the basket while still withinthe building and then pass the filled basket through the window andlower it gradually to the ground by controlled feeding of the rope 23over the roller 22.

To facilitate emptying of the basket, particularly when lowering aninfant or small child, a second rope 30 is secured to the rear loweredge of the basket, as seen at 31, and of sufficient length to more thanreach an anchor member 32 secured to the structure adjacent the window13, to which the free end of the rope 30 can be secured, suitably bymeans ofa spring clip 33. When the basket 25 has reached the ground, theoperator 29, by pulling on the second rope 30, can tilt the basket toroll out an infant or small child and in the same and continuingmovements raise the basket again to the windowsill level. It will beseen that this sequence would permit the safe lowering of several smallchildren and/or invalids within a very short period of time. A pet, suchas a cat or dog, also trapped on the elevated lloor ll could, of course,be lowered in the same way and rolled out of the basket 25 when itreaches the ground.

When the only persons remaining on the elevated lloor are the operator29 and other able-bodied children or adults, their exodus from thestructure can be expedited by hooking the looped ends 28, 28 of the rope23 on the roller studs, as shown in FIG. 5 and then climbing out thewindow and sliding down the rope 23.

In FIG. 6 there is shown a slight modification of the structure in FIG.5 wherein there is interposed between the rope 23 and roller engagingends 27, 27' a plurality of short, 5 to 6 inches rungs 34spaced apart byrope sections 35, 35 approximately 12 inches long. The rungs permits theescapee to steady himself while getting over and clear of the windowsilland provide multiple hand grip portions for support while engaging therope 23 with the feet or legs preparatory to sliding down the rope 23.

The rope 23 is preferably a conventional stout flexible cord of fiberstrands, such as hemp, sisal, jute or the like, twisted together, andhaving a diameter of about V2 to /1 inch so as to provide the neededtensile strength and also permit firm grasping by an operator, or by oneusing it for a sliding escape.

While the foregoing description has been directed to the structure shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the bracket 16 is detachably secured to thewindowsill by engagement of the hook end 17 with the inner sill 14, analternative approach, as illustrated in FIG. 3, is to permanently mountthe roller 22 on the outer sill 15. This can be done, for example, byscrews 34 passing through short plates 35, generally corresponding withend portions of the members 18, 18 and carrying the upstanding rollermounts 19. This adaptation is particularlysuited for use in connectionwith a window 13 which. has definitely been selected as an escapewindow. In such instances, this mounting is preferred, as it reducesslightly the time between awareness of the emergency and the lowering ofthe first escapee. In instances where there may be alternate escapewindows, each of such windows could be provided with the permanentroller mount, as shown in FIG. 3, and, of course, also provided with theanchor member 32 for receiving the end 33 of the rope 30. On the otherhand, the detachable roller mount, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, could bestored at a point easily accessible to the alternate escape windows.

With both types of roller mounting, it should be noted that the rollerand its positioning with respect to the outer windowsill 15 servesseveral useful functions. Primarily, it eliminates friction between therope 23 and the outer sill l5 and extends somewhat the spacing of thedownwardly extending portion of the structure. Furthermore, the curvedcontour to provide a reduced diameter at the central portion of theroller has the advantage of keeping the rope 23 on the roller, whenunder tension, even though the operator 29 may not be directly orientedwith the center ofthe window. In this respect, the structure assuresintended operation even though the actions of the operator 29 may behasty due to excitement and pressures of the emergency.

A special advantage of the escape mechanism is its basic simplicity andversatility in use. For example, when lowering an infant or small child,the operator, after lowering the basket to the ground, can raise thebasket slightly and swing it to one side before tilting the basket toroll out the child. This minimizes the danger of injury to the child asothers escape by being lowered or sliding down the rope. The ability totilt the basket to roll out the occupant and yet quickly retrieve thebasket for re-use is of special importance because frequently in anemergency there will be no one on the ground to receive the escapees.

It is also significant to note that after the last needed use of thebasket, the operator has right at hand the opposed end of the rope 23 sothat the loops 28, 28 can be very quickly mounted on the roller lugs toready the mechanism for sliding escape use.

Any able-bodied adult or teen-aged youth should be able with thismechanism to safely lower to the ground one or more infants or smallchildren and then safely slide down the rope in the FIG. 5 configurationwithin a very short passage of time; and in case of fire, time canfrequently be a most critical factor.

For use in business and industrial structures, where infants and smallchildren are not expected to be present, the basket can be omitted asall occupants will be able to use the device in the manner shown in FIG.5 and 6. In such installations the roller 22 can be dispensed with andthe fixed or movable bracket means can merely carry divergent, spacedrigid members comparable to the roller ends 21, 21 for engaging thelooped ends 28, 28' of the rope. Thus, for example, most or all windowson the second and third floors of business or industrial structurescould have such rigid members permanently mounted thereon, with aplurality of escape ropes having the end structure shown in FIG. 5 orFIG. 6 strategically located for quick access within the structure.

Various changes and modifications in the safety and escape mechanismherein disclosed may occur to those skilled in the art, and to theextent that such changes and modifications are embraced by the appendedclaims it is to be understood that they constitute part of the presentinvention. I claim:

1. A safety mechanism for escape from buildings via above ground windowscomprising in combination a guide roller having bracket means forsecuring the same parallel to a windowsill in a manner to protrudeoutwardly therefrom, and a rope substantially longer than the windowsillto ground dimension, basket means at one end of said rope of a size toreceive infants and small children in lying or seated position andlarger in dividuals in a kneeling or standing position whereby anable-bodied operator within the building can quickly lower one or moreindividuals to ground level by controlling feed of said rope over thewindowsill and roller, the other end of said rope terminating in a pairof integral rope extensions having loops at the extermities thereof, andsaid roller having axial extensions at opposed ends thereof adapted tobe engaged by said loops with said engagement being enhanced by theapplication of tension to said rope, thereby providing a safe slidingescape means for said operator and other ablebodied individuals.

2. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said roller extendsa substantial distance along said windowsill and is smoothly curved froma relatively small diameter at its central portion to substantiallylarger diameter at the ends thereof, to thereby facilitate substantialcentering ofthe tensioned, downwardly extending portion of said ropewhen in use in spite of possible transverse movement of the operatorcontrolling feed of the rope over said roller.

3. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the bracket meansare adapted for permanent mounting to the windowsill by suitablefastening means.

4. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the bracket meanshave offset inner ends adapting the same to be detachably secured to theinner sill portion of a windown frame.

5. A safety mechanism as defined in claim I. wherein said basket meansis elongated in a direction parallel to the building wall and issupported by strand extensions to the upper corners thereof and so sizedand positioned as to minimize contact of the basket with the buildingwall.

6. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 5. wherein the inner,building, side of said basket means is provided with a trip line ofsufficient length to reach said window facilitating tilting of thebasket to dump its contents when the basket has reached ground level.

7. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 6, wherein the trip linecarries at its free end quick engaging means for securing the same to ananchor member adjacent said window.

8. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said integral ropeextensions are joined between said rope and loops by a plurality ofshort rungs spaced apart about 12 inches providing means for an escapeeto steady himself in climbing through and clear of the window and inpreparing for a sliding descent down the rope.

9. A safety mechanism as deined in claim 8 wherein there are three ofsaid short rungs each 5 to 6 inches long.

10. A safety mechanism for escape of ablebodied individuals from abuilding via an above ground window, said mechanism comprising incombination bracket means having a pair ofdivergent lugs centrally andlongitudinally spaced with respect to the outer sill of said window, andan elongated rope having a length greater than the window sill to grounddimension, one end of said rope terminating as two short rope sectionshaving loop means at the extremities thereof for engaging said divergentlugs, said short rope sections being of equal length to position thesuspended rope beneath a point substantially midway between saiddivergent lugs, whereby the weight ofsaid rope, and any escapee usingsaid rope, urges said loop means into firm supporting engagement withsaid divergent lugs.

11. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said bracket meansare adapted for permanent mounting on said windowsill.

12. A saftey mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said bracket meansextends over both inner and outer sills of said window and is adaptedfor detachable engagement with said inner sill.

13. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said short ropesections, between said looped ends and the juncture with said rope. arejoined by a plurality of short rungs for steadying an escapee whileclimbing over said windowsill and preparing to slide down said rope.

14. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 13 having three of saidrungs, each about 5 to 6 inches long,

which are spaced apart by about 12 inches.

l =l i= l l

1. A safety mechanism for escape from buildings via above ground windowscomprising in combination a guide roller having bracket means forsecuring the same parallel to a windowsill in a manner to protrudeoutwardly therefrom, and a rope substantially longer than the windowsillto ground dimension, basket means at one end of said rope of a size toreceive infants and small children in lying or seated position andlarger individuals in a kneeling or standing position whereby anable-bodied operator within the building can quickly lower one or moreindividuals to ground level by controlling feed of said rope over thewindowsill and roller, the other end of said rope terminating in a pairof integral rope extensions having loops at the extermities thereof, andsaid roller having axial extensions at opposed ends thereof adapted tobe engaged by said loops with said engagement being enhanced by theapplication of tension to said rope, thereby providing a safe slidingescape means for said operator and other able-bodied individuals.
 2. Asafety mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said roller extends asubstantial distance along said windowsill and is smoothly curved from arelatively small diameter at its central portion to substantially largerdiameter at the ends thereof, to thereby facilitate substantialcentering of the tensioned, downwardly extending portion of said ropewhen in use in spite of possible transverse movement of the operatorcontrolling feed of the rope over said roller.
 3. A safety mechanism asdefined in claim 1, wherein the bracket means are adapted for permanentmounting to the windowsill by suitable fastening means.
 4. A safetymechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the bracket means have offsetinner ends adapting the same to be detachably secured to the inner sillportion of a windown frame.
 5. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1,wherein said basket means is elongated in a direction parallel to thebuilding wall and is supported by strand extensions to the upper cornersthereof and so sized and positioned as to minimize contact of the basketwith the building wall.
 6. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 5,wherein the inner, building, side of said basket means is provided witha trip line of sufficient length to reach said window facilitatingtilting of the basket to dump its contents when the basket has reachedground level.
 7. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 6, wherein thetrip line carries at its free end quick engaging means for securing thesame to an anchor member adjacent said window.
 8. A safety mechanism asdefined in claim 1 wherein said integral rope extensions are joinedbetween said Rope and loops by a plurality of short rungs spaced apartabout 12 inches providing means for an escapee to steady himself inclimbing through and clear of the window and in preparing for a slidingdescent down the rope.
 9. A safety mechanism as deined in claim 8wherein there are three of said short rungs each 5 to 6 inches long. 10.A safety mechanism for escape of ablebodied individuals from a buildingvia an above ground window, said mechanism comprising in combinationbracket means having a pair of divergent lugs centrally andlongitudinally spaced with respect to the outer sill of said window, andan elongated rope having a length greater than the window sill to grounddimension, one end of said rope terminating as two short rope sectionshaving loop means at the extremities thereof for engaging said divergentlugs, said short rope sections being of equal length to position thesuspended rope beneath a point substantially midway between saiddivergent lugs, whereby the weight of said rope, and any escapee usingsaid rope, urges said loop means into firm supporting engagement withsaid divergent lugs.
 11. A safety mechanism as defined in claim 10wherein said bracket means are adapted for permanent mounting on saidwindowsill.
 12. A saftey mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein saidbracket means extends over both inner and outer sills of said window andis adapted for detachable engagement with said inner sill.
 13. A safetymechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said short rope sections,between said looped ends and the juncture with said rope, are joined bya plurality of short rungs for steadying an escapee while climbing oversaid windowsill and preparing to slide down said rope.
 14. A safetymechanism as defined in claim 13 having three of said rungs, each about5 to 6 inches long, which are spaced apart by about 12 inches.